The United States was held to a 1-1 draw with Canada after 90 minutes, and had to get into the extra time at an Olympic women's soccer quarterfinal match in Shanghai on Friday.

Angela Hucles put the Americans ahead in the 12th minute following Heather O'Reilly's head flicker from a Amy Rodriguez pass left Hucles facing an empty net at the far post.

Eight minutes later Swedish referee Jenny Palmqvist decided to suspend the match as a sudden thunderstorm hit the Shanghai Stadium. The heavy rain and fierce lightning made it not safe for players to continue playing.

The match began on 18:00(local time), broke on 18:20 and was resumed on 20:00 after BOCOG officers saw the rain reduce and the lightning disappear.

Canada seemed to restore their energy after the break. Ace striker Christine Sinclair leveled the score with an outstanding long-range shot on 30 minutes to beat a full-stretched Hope Solo.

The lack-lustre second period has witnessed both teams making too many mistakes in passing and organization, and both sides did awfully in the finishing.

Amy Rodriguez nearly sealed victory for the Americans at the last minute of the regular time, only to find her low drive parried by a diving Karina LeBlang.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15,2008)